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Conscription letters are hoax says Army

25/10/2001

ARMY bosses have criticised a fake call-up notice claiming civilians were being sent to the war in Afghanistan, saying the prank was in poor taste.

Irlam man Gary Kelly was bemused when he received the letter telling him his services may be called upon in the conflict.

However, one quick look at the unconvincing document, which is poorly printed and is not on official Ministry of Defence headed paper, raised his suspicions it was nothing more than a prank.

Now, an army spokeswoman has confirmed the letter was a fake, saying it was in poor taste, and is assuring the public there will be no call-up.

Gary says a phone call to the military police confirmed his own suspicions but added people he had spoken to at a cash and carry centre in Trafford Park, told him they had received similar papers.

The letter, sent in a hand-written envelope, contains a reference number but is only marked 'on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen'.

It claims to be sent from 'HMS Catterick Barracks' - a title which confuses military and naval terms.

And although there is a British Army headquarters called Catterick Barracks in Germany, no such base exists in Great Britain. However, there is a Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire.

The letter reads: "Due to the recent conflict in Afghanistan we are presently recruiting civilians to aid us in our military manoeuvres. I am therefore writing to advise that your services will be required in the near future.

"Only through exceptional circumstances will civilians be allowed exemption. If you wish to apply for exemption, please contact us as soon as possible."

Gary, who says he has no connections with the Army, told us: "It did grab me at first but straight away I had a good idea it was fake.

An Army spokeswoman said: "The letter is a prank and not a very convincing one at that. It's in bad taste given the current climate."